Wardell pulls out four-star performance at Aachen

IRELAND were lying in ninth place of 14 countries last night following the completion of the dressage phase of the eventing competition at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

Sarah Wardell, riding Kincluny, was one of two Irish competitors to line out yesterday and, fighting the distractions of the vocal German dressage fans in the adjoining arena, she scored 58.5 in what was her first ever four-star test in competition.

“I’m really pleased. He really held himself together, especially with the riot going on next door,” Wardell said of the 11-year-old bay gelding.

She described her first World-Championship experience as “amazing”, as all seven disciplines took place on the one site and she credited team dressage trainer Sandy Phillips and team coach Lars Christensson for making it “a whole new ball game”.

Her performance left her in equal 41st place overnight and she will be upbeat tackling today’s cross-country, following strong performances from Kincluny at Punchestown and Bramham in the spring.

While Wardell’s performance lifted team spirits, Lieutenant Geoff Curran and Balladeer Alfred failed to live up to expectations, when placing a provisional 65th on a score of 68.

Niall Griffin remains best of the Irish in equal 36th place after he and Lorgaine scored 57.4 in the dressage on Thursday. Fellow team member Michael Ryan and Old Road are in equal 53rd on 63.3. Germany are proving the dominant force at the early stage, filling the top three places.

Bettina Hoy and the Irish-bred Ringwood Cockatoo are in the gold medal position on 36.5, with Ingrid Klimke on Sleep Late in second place on 39.1. Andreas Dibowski, riding FRH Serve Well and American Kimberley Severson on Winsome Adante share third place with 40.90.